Pearl Bar is a lesbian-specific LGBTQ+ bar located on Washington Avenue between the Heights and Montrose neighborhoods of Houston, Texas.[1][2][3] It is the only lesbian bar in Houston, one of only two in the state of Texas, and fewer than 25 in the United States.[4][5][2] It is known for hosting a variety of events including female-specific DJs, crawfish boils, dildo races and drag performers.[4][1][3]
History
Pearl Bar was launched in 2013 by Julie Mabry, a lesbian event promoter and local entrepreneur who understood the need for spaces that specifically cater to women within the LGBTQ+ community.[3][6][2][1]
In 2020 Pearl Bar was one of ten LGBTQ+ businesses across the United States to receive a preservation grant from national non-profit the Human Rights Campaign and Showtime, intended to assist with preserving the venue as a cultural landmark.[2][3]
In 2022 Pearl Bar was featured in a dedicated episode of the Lesbian Bar Project, a campaign and documentary series created by Erica Rose and Elina Street, exploring and celebrating the remaining lesbian bars in the United States.[1][7][8]
In 2023 owner Mabry noted that Pearl Bar had been denied business insurance for the first time due to hosting drag shows, which she attributed predominantly to Texas' proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.[4][3]
See also
- List of lesbian bars
- Just Marion & Lynn's (1973–1987)
External links
References
- Zachary McKenzie. Mother of Pearl – OutSmart Magazine www.outsmartmagazine.com, 2023-03-02, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- Hannah Dellinger. Pearl Bar gets preservation grant during pandemic Houston Chronicle, 2020-09-15, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- Sam Byrd. Putting The L In LGBT: Julie Mabry's Pearl Bar Is A True Gem Houston Press, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- Erica Grieder. Owner of Houston lesbian bar says anti-drag efforts threaten to close Pearl club Houston Chronicle, 2023-05-10, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- Aubrey Burghardt. Last Woman Standing: Where Have All The Lesbian Bars Gone? And Are They Coming Back? Spectrum South – The Voice of the Queer South, 2019-08-23, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- Why Pearl Houston is the perfect place to celebrate Pride ABC7 New York, 2021-06-27, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- 'The Lesbian Bar Project' Is an Important, Inspiring Series That Could Have Used Less SponCon Jezebel, 2022-10-18, retrieved 2023-06-20^
- Michael Strangeways. “The Lesbian Bar Project” Returns With New Episodes On Roku Plus A Bus Tour Seattle Gay Scene, retrieved 2023-06-20^